A01956:1171
The happiness of the church, or, A description of those spiritual prerogatives wherewith Christ…The happines of the church, or, A description of those spirituall prerogatiues vvherewith Christ…
The happiness of the church, or, A description of those spiritual prerogatives wherewith Christ hath endowed her considered in some contemplations upon part of the 12. chapter of the Hebrews : together with certain other meditations and discourses upon other portions of Holy Scriptures, the titles whereof immediately precede the book : being the sum of diverse sermons preached in S. Gregory's London / by Thomas Adams ...The happines of the church, or, A description of those spirituall prerogatiues vvherewith Christ hath endowed her considered in some contemplations vpon part of the 12. chapter of the Hebrewes : together with certain other meditations and discourses vpon other portions of Holy Scriptures, the titles wherof immediately precede the booke : being the summe of diuerse sermons preached in S. Gregories London / by Thomas Adams ...
London: printed by G.P. for John Grismand, 1619London: printed by G.P. for Iohn Grismand, 1619
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. By this means we have in this world a free access to the Throne of grace by our prayers: the veil and separation of sin and wrath is rent asunder by Christ, and a clear way made for our supplications. The Propitiatory and Mercy-seat, the Cherubims of glory shadowing it, the very presence of God, were within the Holyest: and the people might not approach it, but stood without a far off: Our Saviour hath torn away this veil, and opened our petitions a free passage to the Seat of mercy in heaven. Having such an high Priest over the house of God; (saith Paul immediately after the clearing our way through the veil) dLet us draw near with a true-heart, in full assurance of faith, &c. We see how far our prerogative excels that of the Jews. They were servants, we are sons, and cry Abba Father: they had Priests, we are Priests: they had a bar, to us that veil is rent away. eLet us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. This is singular comfort, that poor subjects may be sure of access to the King with their petitions; yea more, be heard in all their desires: yea most of all, have an Advocate at the Kings right hand to plead their cause. But then remember the Psalmists caution. fIf I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. Let the servants of Baal cry never so loudly, if lewdly; their prayers are not heard. To the cries of unfaithful sinners the veil ⟨p. 56⟩is up still; and like a thick cloud reverberates & beats back their orisons; that they cannot ascend to the Throne of grace. Only faith makes a free passage, and a clear conscience hath a clear voice, that can pierce heaven.
2. By this meanes we haue in this world a free accesse to the Throne of grace by our prayers: the vaile and separation of sinne and wrath is rent asunder by Christ, and a cleare way made for our supplications. The Propitiatory and Mercie-seate, the Cherubims of glory shadowing it, the very presence of God, were within the Holyest: and the people might not approach it, but stood without a farre off: Our Sauiour hath torne away this vaile, and opened our petitions a free passage to the Seate of mercie in heauen. Hauing such an high Priest ouer the house of God; (sayth Paul immediately after the clearing our way through the vaile)